Instant ON: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-76725 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Instant ON from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.6 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Instant ON versions: 0.0.0.0 through 3.4.1.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Instant ON you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise | Instant ON | 0.0.0.0 through 3.4.1.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (hpe.com).
Official description
A vulnerability has been identified in a management protocol of HPE Networking Instant ON APs that could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to circumvent existing authentication controls. Successful exploitation could result in a complete bypass of security restrictions, potentially leading to remote code execution with elevated privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Instant ON
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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